The majority of people who see that word, that abstract noun, that collectivist term, would have similar immediate thought processes, involving at least two of the following phrases. "She probably doesn't shave and enjoys the feel of course hair scratching her underarms." "Man-hater; I expect she's a lesbian." "Oh she's one of those radicals who runs the streets naked professing her love of fresh air whistling past her bare boobs." I have encountered many such definitions, when in actual fact, the term is much more clear-cut. Feminism. A person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes. For me as an individual, I don't understand how there is a person in the world, male or female, who wouldn't identify as a feminist. And I am going to explain to you, as simply as I possibly can, why I am a feminist.
At 14 years old, I was walking home from school past a house which had building work taking place. Scaffolding surrounded the house, and many middle-aged men were stood on the scaffolding chatting, drinking coffee and laughing. It was here that I first experienced being objectified by a man. One of the builders lent over the railing and whistled at me, whilst another called "Oi Pete, what you would give for a piece of that ass!" At which they all laughed and began conversing among themselves. At the time, I was actually rather flattered by the comment, despite being from men old enough to be my father. However a few days later, I began thinking about what had been said. What gives those men the right to call me out on various parts of my body, embarrassing me and making me feel like a piece of meat to be analysed for its shape and aesthetics? Why is it okay for a man to objectify a woman, or young girl, but if women made those sorts of comments to boys they would be seen as vulgar and disgusting? At this point I began to google objectification, and sexism, and started to read blogs and forums where people (mainly female I hasten to add) discussed situations such as these. This is where I first encountered the term feminism. And I liked the notion of it, the notion of this small minority of women who wanted to change the majority opinion that women are weaker and less important than their male counterparts.
I encounter so many girls who say "I have all the rights I need. I can work the same jobs as men, I can vote, and I can drive cars according to the same laws as men. What else do I need?" And at this, I just sink in a sea of despair at how uneducated the majority of society is about gender equality. Because I feel that these people are missing crucial information they need to make that decision. For example, are they aware that in the UK this year, women still earn on average 15% less per hour than their male counterparts? That doesn't seem like much, but it adds up to over £5,000 per year that they are being deprived of. I wonder if these same girls have ever been subject to sexual harassment. I know I certainly have, and by this I don't mean violent abuse, like rape. I mean verbal harassment, which I receive most days when I'm walking around town. People don't even have to speak, I can see men walking past me looking me up and down, as if I am an animal at auction. Does this seem fair to you, that women endure this every single day, whereas men have no such worries? Does it bother you that if I am walking down a road in the dark, and I see a group of men walking in the opposite direction, I will purposely cross the road so I don't have to walk past them, for fear of being harassed? This is the sort of behaviour that I believe society needs to take measures to change. And it can be done. We just need enough people to see that males and females should be treated with equal respect, and evolution will run its course and change our the views of our patriarchal culture.
Thank you for reading this. I welcome any comments you may have.
L xx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17hPCHLMpyM Beyoncé - Flawless
